Four different American League East teams have won the division since 2010 and the fifth team — the Toronto Blue Jays — spent 48 days in first place this year. There’s no dud to be found in the AL East.
The Orioles are still focused on this year and their upcoming ALCS matchup against the Kansas City Royals. But for their four American League East rivals, it’s time to look ahead to the off-season and ways of improving in 2015. With the right moves, each team could contend next year.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch the ALCS on Sportsnet Friday starting at 7 p.m. EST. Listen on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
Here are the biggest needs of each AL East team entering the winter:
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays must address their bullpen after a disappointing season that will likely prove to be Casey Janssen’s last in Toronto. Expect Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos to target impact relievers with an emphasis on right-handers who have succeeded in setup roles.
Blue Jays president Paul Beeston has said payroll will climb, which should help the Blue Jays bid competitively for Melky Cabrera, one of the top free agent outfielders available. If Cabrera leaves, the Blue Jays could consider free agents such as Norichika Aoki or trade targets such as Dexter Fowler.
Infield help should also be a priority for a team whose second basemen ranked 21st in MLB with a .634 OPS. Free agents such as Pablo Sandoval and Asdrubal Cabrera could be fits for the Blue Jays, who would at least consider moving Brett Lawrie to second base. Ideally, Toronto would also improve its bench depth before the 2015 season begins.
That’s a lot of needs, but the Blue Jays could contemplate dealing from starting pitching depth with R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle potential trade chips.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles face the possibility that some of their team strengths will be diminished once free agency begins. Their power (Nelson Cruz), infield defence (J.J. Hardy) and shutdown bullpen (Andrew Miller) could all be compromised this winter if key free agents depart. Nick Markakis ($17.5 million option) might also hit free agency along with role players such as Delmon Young, so there’s potential for plenty of turnover in Baltimore.
While it’d be a surprise to see the Orioles bring back all of those free agents, they’ll be of interest to GM Dan Duquette, who must address shortstop and both corner outfield spots. Manny Machado has long been viewed as a shortstop option, yet recent knee injuries could diminish the team’s confidence in playing him at short. Thankfully, Baltimore’s pitching staff looks strong, with prospects such as Dylan Bundy on the way and depth in the rotation and bullpen.
Boston Red Sox
We know the Red Sox will spend. Chairman Tom Werner made that much clear on WEEI last month, when he said the Red Sox are determined to explore the free agent market and improve the team. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money, but we’ve got a lot of money to spend,” Werner said.
Sounds promising for free agents, particularly pitchers. Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields headline the upcoming class of free agent starters, and the Red Sox can’t be counted out on relievers, either.
They’ll be in on arms, but that doesn’t mean they’ll pass on position players. Pablo Sandoval should draw interest given Will Middlebrooks’ struggles at third base, though there will be plenty of competition for the switch-hitting third baseman.
If GM Ben Cherington turns to the trade market, he could deal from an apparent surplus of outfielders that includes Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and, other teams hope, Mookie Betts.
New York Yankees
It’s pretty much assumed that the Yankees will spend big every year, and while last year’s free agent binge (Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury) was particularly extravagant, GM Brian Cashman will have his checkbook handy again this winter.
Derek Jeter’s retirement opens up a hole at shortstop, and the Yankees will presumably look to address the back of their bullpen, either by re-signing closer David Robertson or by finding relief elsewhere.
Plenty more veteran position players are on the cusp of free agency, too:, Stephen Drew, Chase Headley, Chris Young and Ichiro Suzuki. While Alex Rodriguez can fill in at third base, the Yankees have a clear need for starting pitching. Not only are Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda coming off of injuries, Hiroki Kuroda and Brandon McCarthy are free agents. All the more reason for Scherzer, Lester & Co. to feel good about their free agent prospects.
Tampa Bay Rays
No American League team scored fewer runs than the Rays in 2014, which makes Andrew Friedman’s off-season shopping list a little clearer. While Tampa Bay has typically relied on run prevention in recent years, there’s room for improvement at the plate, particularly in the power department, where just one player hit more than 12 home runs (Evan Longoria had 22 while posting the worst on-base and slugging percentages of his career).
The Rays aren’t typically big free agent spenders, but they’ve got some appealing trade chips on their hands. Jeremy Hellickson could be dealt given Tampa Bay’s impressive starting depth, and Friedman could part with either Matt Joyce or David DeJesus in the right deal.
Rays catchers posted an OPS of .524 last year while hitting just five home runs, so it makes sense to look for ways of upgrading over the current Jose Molina-Ryan Hanigan tandem.
